Sparks of Ancient Light

I am really a great fan of Al (my favorite: Time Passages), but this album is quiet boring for me, so I already sold it...no 'old' famous melodies. The voice still sounds nice, but the rest... - so I hope it'll be better to wait for his next album.

I always loved the musicianship of Al Stewart. He brings together great musicians, under appreciated song writing and his incredible melodic guitar playing abilities. We all know his hits and have many favorite tunes. Sparks of Ancient Light does not have top 40 go out and grab you songs, rather it is in the subtle lyrics and instrumental rifts that it really shines. The ultra tight well played songs recall the best of the bands from the classically trained musicians that gave us so many musically solid rock hits from the 60's to 80's. Al still has a great voice! We all know he delights us with his lyrics, weaving a story with each song choosing words that consistently showcase his mastery of storytelling in the English language. This album won't appeal to everyone, but with a few listenings by those who like Als' other material this is in the class of Last days of the Century.

just an enjoyable album. you wont find any year of the cat or time passages on this just a bunch of good tunes, and al's voice is as good as ever. songs still have history or nostalgia to them.

I, too, have long been a fan of Al Stewart, going back to "Love Chronicles." While "Sparks of Ancient Light" has moments of real brilliance (my favorite is "Hanno the Navigator" the melody of which has been stuck in my head for the week I've had this CD), it suffers from the same unevenness as a few of Al's latest offerings. "The Loneliest Place On The Map" is particularly dull.

But I quibble. Al Stewart is one of but a handful of '60's and '70's singer songwriters whose talent and quality output has endured. A mediocre Stewart song is vastly superior to almost anything heard today.

For those unacquainted with Al, the best place to start is his '70's album "Past, Present, and Future."

This is a very fine album of music. I played it three times the first day I got it, and will undoubtedly play it many more. Good, catchy, upbeat pop-rock tunes; it's among his best.